--Princess Lilac's office at the Royal Castle.


　The sound like the falling snow was quietly filling the room.

"--

　Lilac's concentration on her writing just broke, and she slowly closed her eyes once.

　Putting the brush away in the penholder, she slowly stood up.

　The sky through the window was cloudy.

　One sigh.

　Everything's going well. I'd say it's going better than ever.

　And yet my mind is not clear.


　--I think back to three years ago.


　Everything's different now than it was then, your skills, your environment.

　I've taken everything into my own hands.

　If I had been smarter three years ago, I could have made things better now.

　And yet, I think back to three years ago because...


　It's probably because you know you have no one on your side.


　I have survived against the world alone.


...... It's a trivial sentiment.


　That maid is only a contractual relationship. It's the end of the line. It's not a friend, if not an enemy.

　If you have a contract that you have broken, the other party has broken it for you.
　If you cling to it pathetically, you will not be in the same position as before.

　"Contracts are only made with equals or lower-ranking people. It's a bad idea to get someone on your side on unfavorable terms when there's a chance you'll end up being taken advantage of.

　So this is good.

　Futa will be back soon.

　It's not hard to imagine what his expression will be like. But Lilac knew that time would take care of the scars of losing someone you love.

　I've seen people like that many times.

　So this is good.


　"The advantages and disadvantages of saving Corona when the contract is up are out of proportion.


　Regardless of what happens to the king, it's good to have a connection to the legal system.

　If only she hadn't cut the deal.


"No need for the ...... bullshit.


　He shook his head.
　The sound of his heels slowly echoed to the tune of a music box.

　Standing in front of it, the lid plays endlessly as long as it's open--a small box she made.

　I wondered where she had gotten the beautiful sound from in that little box that was supposed to be able to drop in the art of recording.

　I don't think I made a mistake when I ordered that witch to be a maid.

　--In the end, will she also run away from the fate of her profession?

"...... Hmm.

　I looked up at the ceiling.

　I don't know why I did it.
　But I noticed it in time.

　It's not like my emotions were shaken, but there was something running down my cheek.

　This is ridiculous.

　"I've just been betrayed by the expectations I had for my contract.
　That's the way it's always been.

　You just look forward and fight for what you want.

　Yes, just fight.


"--Lilac-sama ！！！！！


What?

　Instantly, the door opened.
　Reflexively, Lilac closed the small box.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what's going on in your life.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
"I'm sorry, but ............ Master Lilac?
What is it?

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

I'm not sure what to say.
I don't have anything to say, but what do you want?

　Lilac looked back at him, her face as clear as ever.

　I'm sure you're not the only one who has a problem with that.

Please, please, please!　Corona is going to be taken to a legal country and killed!
"......, I'm sure.
Did you know about ......?
I've been thinking about that case. Most likely, they found him before he left town.
Yes, .......


　Yeah, so...

I don't want to bother Master Lilac!　Please, help me get her out!　Please!　I'm not going to let her die. ！！！！

　Lilac quietly looked down at Huta's trembling body as she lowered her head.

　She tried to say a word or two, but hesitantly closed her mouth.

　She shook her head and said.

There's no limit to how much trouble you can get into. If I help save her, I'll be in more or less harm's way.


Oh, no.
And...

　Lilac's eyebrows lowered as she stared at Futa, who looked up at her with an expression of surprise. As if troubled. But it was only for a moment.

Corona doesn't trust me.
No, she doesn't!
"Yes, she does.

　Quietly, but firmly, she cut off Futa's words.

　She gently cradled her left arm in her dress-glove-wrapped right hand. As if humiliated to say it, she said, "I trust you.

"...... You ran away because you don't trust me. I have decided that I would rather have friendship with the law than a single maid. Otherwise, there is no reason for you to leave. Isn't that right?
"Master Lilac. ......



I'm not going to renew my contract again.　That's what I'm talking about, princess.


"Okay, okay. I don't care. I'll take care of you for the next 10 days!


Whoa, whoa, whoa.　The maid can't hear you, princess.



　If I close my eyes and think back, it's nothing.
　Just as she was nothing more than a contract to me.
　It was the same for her.


　So.




"You care about Futa?




　She left the castle because she thought Futa would be heartbroken when Lilac cut him off.

　Her own life was not a secondary concern. She just didn't have to weigh it.

　There's no room for Lilac to intervene. This is far from a relationship of trust, it's a contract.









"No, Master Lilac.









　The hand that was trembling, unknowingly. You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

　When he came back to himself and looked at Futa, what a face he had.

　He looked like he was about to cry, he looked like he was in pain, and yet he had such kind eyes for Lilac.

What's the difference?
"Everything. -Lilac-sama. I've been thinking. I've always wanted you two to be friends. I hate that it turned out this way, but...
What kind of ...... is that, Corona's little box?
...... Corona didn't just have feelings for me.


　I took out a small box from my pocket.

　It looks familiar, but it's not a music box. It was different from the one Futa had gotten a few days ago, and his own was in his room.

　I opened it gently and heard her voice.


"Uh, uh... Check, check. Yes, it's responding!　So, Huta-sama from all over the country, and Lilac-sama as an added bonus. And Lilac, can you please listen to the maid's last story?


"...... this.

　Lilac quietly raised one eyebrow.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to be doing and how you're going to do it.

I retrieved it from Beatrix. It was supposed to be given to Master Lilac in ten days.
"...... Will, huh?

　Lilac, who had figured out what was going to happen by the word "recovered," stared quietly at the box.

　I'm not sure what to say.

　The only sound that comes through is the one that echoes in the quiet office.




I didn't mean to leave it at first, but... I don't know why. I had a lot of things I wanted to say to Futa-sama and the princess at the end. I'm in trouble.

　She didn't seem to understand why she was feeling that way.
　She spun her words so matter-of-factly.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you can do it. I'm sure the princess will either ask her alone at first or poke around without asking anything. I don't like poking. Yeah, I don't like it.


"No, I don't want to.


"Well... For Futa-sama, you know. I want you to cheer up in a good way. I want you to forget about the maids and enjoy your life!　I want you to forget about the maids and live a happy life! I want you to do something like that, so the princess will do her best. Woohoo!



"I'm sorry for disappearing so suddenly. I was really going to go somewhere normal, but I guess it turned out like this. I guess it can't be helped. Futa-sama really took good care of me, but maids are not something that people think well of.

　The hand that grasps the small box tightens.
　Still, it would not close. Lilac would have to hear me out.
　You'll be able to find a lot more information on this topic on the web.

"-Hime-sama. In the end, you're a jerk!　You're not going to open your heart to the maid until the very end!　The maid was so maid-like and useful... The maids were so helpful and maidlike that they were jealous of the maids who were dominated by Futa-sama who just appeared.　--I'm not so sure about that.

　I'm not sure what to say.

　It's the first time I've been called "you".
　I'm sure you're not the only one.

　That's why, if he was aware of his usefulness, he should have asked for a change in treatment as a "contractor", and his thoughts drifted to something out of place.

　Still, what bothered me the most was.
　An unreasonable message to open your mind.

　How can I open my heart to a woman whose facial expressions and emotions change from one moment to the next?
　I don't even know if she's lying or not.

　Even now, Lilac can't tell if Corona's jealousy is real or not.

　If you're going to say it's a suicide note, choose your words so that they'll be understood.

　The person you want to say that to is not in front of you.


　When I listened with annoyance in my heart, there was more to the words.


　And those words were exactly what Futa wanted Lilac to hear.


"But you know what? Thank you, Princess, for picking me up.

　Lilac's face showed her confusion.

I've had the best time of my life being a maid.

　I knew that.

"In fact, I thought I could do it forever.

　I knew that too.

　And that's the only reason I don't trust you.

But I didn't want to bother the princess with the life of a maid. I don't like it at all!

　--I gulped.

The best way to repay her is to get rid of the maid?　I thought so!


"You ！！！！


　He took a half step forward and snatched the box from Futa.


I'm sure you'll understand. "I know you were upset when I said I was going to break my contract. I'm sorry the contract was shorter than I thought.

f*ck you, ......!

"Hmm. I guess that's it. I feel better. So long, you two. Be happy.


　The recording was over without a hitch. In a short while, it would begin again with her greeting.

　Before Futa could say anything to Lilac, who had snatched the small box.

　Lilac smashed the box on the floor.

"You've got to be kidding me!

　The name of the emotion he felt was anger.

　What did you sign up for? Why did you bring her here? Why did you hire her?
　All because you see value in her.

　--What, open your mind?

　You're not listening to me any more than I'm listening to you.

"Don't be silly, don't be silly... don't be silly!

　Lilac screamed and stomped on the floor, but Futa hurried to stop her.
　He knew that if he let any of the shards get into his leg, he would be killed.

　But she didn't care at all.

　She shook her hair and stomped on the remains of the box, but her anger remained.



"Who do you think you are?　Do you think I'm so fragile that I'm burdened to protect you alone!　You little cunt!　Don't you dare!　You will die of shame!



　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.

　Then... He was about to fall down weakly, but Futa held him from the front.

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

"...... you fool.

"Lilac-sama .......

　Futa did not know what to say to make Lilac happy.

　He's still not the kind of man who can say something clever.



　But... I know what I have to say.

Corona doesn't care what you do for a living. She doesn't think you're just a contractor. ...... I'm not the only one.

　Shaking his head, he slowly stroked the princess's hair in a hug, quieting her raging emotions.


"Corona and I both like you.
"I'm asking for ......, Futa.
Yes, anything you want.
Is that what she's really thinking?
Definitely. ...... I've always thought so, looking at her and you. ...... Only I knew that you cared about Corona more than you thought you did.
It's not something to be proud of.

　Lilac exhaled and gently pulled herself away from Huta.

　She wiped her eyes and shook her head lightly.

　The expression on Princess Lilac's face soon appeared.


"Futa?
"Yes.
"Thank you.



　She smiles softly and gaily and continues.




"About the Order of the Divine Dragon. About the King. The relationship with the law. About the Orba Chamber of Commerce. About Corona. --All the arrangements that lead to the board, which is Huta's specialty.





"I'll take care of everything else.





　 The princess moves.